Urban areas confronting alterations due to global warming
Miami-Dade County, Florida, currently the most vulnerable coastal city in the world, is facing the challenges of climate change head-on. According to Josh Mahoney, Environmental Resources Project Supervisor at Miami-Dade County, climate change impacts various aspects of life in South Florida.
The county has been experiencing the immediate effects of climate change, with certain access points or trails temporarily closed due to tidal flooding. This is a stark reminder of the rising sea levels and increased frequency of extreme weather events that the region is expected to encounter.
To address these challenges, Miami-Dade County is implementing a comprehensive strategy to build climate resilience. This strategy encompasses adapting to sea level rise, protecting infrastructure, preserving natural ecosystems, and engaging the community.
One of the key strategies is the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan adopted by Miami Beach, a city within Miami-Dade County. This plan serves as a flexible, phased roadmap to protect over 67,000 vulnerable assets from flooding over the next 75 years. It integrates scientific data, community input, and partnerships to incrementally adapt the city, safeguard infrastructure, and preserve neighborhoods against rising seas and storm impacts.
Infrastructure and transportation planning is another crucial component. Miami-Dade County has developed a Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Rapid Action Plan specifically targeting the transportation and infrastructure sectors. This plan focuses on anticipating and mitigating flooding and storm surge impacts on critical infrastructure to maintain functionality and safety during climate-related events.
The county is also investing in ecological preservation and restoration. West Lake Park, a 1,500-acre coastal estuary park, serves as a habitat preservation area and a natural climate resilience feature to buffer against coastal flooding and storm surges. The park promotes environmental education and has been recognised for innovative ecological design.
Sustainable coastal protection programs, such as Miami-Dade County's Artificial Reef Program, exemplify efforts to use sustainable materials on the ocean floor to buffer coastlines. These reefs help reduce coastal erosion and protect marine ecosystems, contributing to long-term shoreline resilience.
Community engagement and public support are essential elements in adopting these climate adaptation policies and plans. Efforts to gather public input, disseminate information, and create flexible frameworks help ensure that strategies are responsive to changing risks and community priorities.
Residents are encouraged to take action as well. They can participate in marine debris and shoreline cleanups, such as those held in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. They can also use resources like the website offering information on the science behind climate change, its correlation with extreme weather, and more ways to help combat climate change.
The US Environmental Protection Agency predicts that Florida will experience a rise in sea level of about 18 to 20 inches by the next century. To assess flood risks in their neighbourhood, residents are recommended to use the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Flood Exposure Map.
Preparing for hurricanes is another crucial aspect. Residents are advised to use the Miami-Dade Hurricane Readiness Guide. Storm surges from hurricanes will be amplified as sea levels rise in Miami-Dade County.
Climate change education, volunteerism, and advocacy are emphasised as key factors in inspiring change and action within communities. Even small actions can make a difference when people work together. Miami-Dade County's Climate Action Strategy aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
Miami-Dade County's multifaceted approach to climate resilience reflects a commitment to combining science-based planning, ecosystem conservation, infrastructure adaptation, and community involvement to address the significant threats from sea level rise and climate change over coming decades.
- Climate change is causing access points and trails in Miami-Dade County to temporarily close due to tidal flooding, serving as a stark reminder of the region's rising sea levels and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
- The county is addressing these challenges through a comprehensive strategy to build climate resilience, which includes adapting to sea level rise, protecting infrastructure, preserving natural ecosystems, and engaging the community.
- One strategy is the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan adopted by Miami Beach, focusing on protecting 67,000 vulnerable assets from flooding, integrating scientific data, community input, and partnerships.
- The county is also investing in ecological preservation and restoration, such as West Lake Park, a 1,500-acre coastal estuary park that serves as a habitat preservation area and a natural climate resilience feature.
- Sustainable coastal protection programs, like the Artificial Reef Program, aim to use sustainable materials to buffer coastlines and protect marine ecosystems, contributing to long-term shoreline resilience.
- The county advocates for climate change education, volunteerism, and advocacy to inspire change and action within communities, with the goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
